In the intricate landscape of catastrophic trucking cases and the interplay of multiple layers of liability insurance can resemble a precarious game of Jenga. Each move carries the potential to destabilize the structure,...more
The United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit, applying Illinois law, has held that an exclusion for claims arising out of any access to or disclosure of any person’s “confidential or personal information” bars...more
The Insurer issued an Auto Policy and an Umbrella Policy. The Auto Policy provided $100,000 of UIM coverage and the Umbrella Policy provided $2,000,000 of UIM coverage. Just like ARS § 12-555(C)(2),the Auto Policy barred UIM...more
In Berardi v. FMI Insurance Co., a panel of New Jersey’s Superior Court, Appellate Decision, affirmed a lower court’s ruling, which ordered a primary home insurer to defend its insured in a dog bite lawsuit, stemming from...more
New York’s Highest Court Holds That Portion Of Premium Need Not Be Refunded For Death During Policy Period Of Universal Life Policy- The Joan C. Lupe Family Trust purchased a policy under which Lincoln Life and Annuity...more
On construction projects, it is common for the owners, general contractors, and subcontractors to execute various contracts requiring the parties to procure insurance and have other parties designated as additional insureds...more
We bring you our July Insurance Update. We begin with two cases about late notice. First, the Kentucky Supreme Court considers whether the notice-prejudice rule applies to claims-made-and-reported policies. Second, the...more
Second Circuit Finds That Subcontract Did Not Incorporate GC’s Obligation To Obtain Additional Insured Coverage For Owners And That GC’s Primary Policy Was Primary To GC’s Additional Insured Coverage Under Sub’s Umbrella...more
While not often in the limelight, standard business practice relies on service contracts and, in turn, risk transfer through those contracts. Critical issues can arise regarding whether a party seeking additional insured...more
We bring you our March Insurance Update. As college basketball programs embark on the road to the final four, we select our top four insurance cases from the past month. In a dispute over the priority of coverage, the...more
Court Holds That Insurer Was Not Volunteer And May Seek Subrogation From Other Insurer But That Other Insurer’s Policy Is Excess- Walter Breitenbach, who was insured by Adirondack Insurance, struck a pedestrian with his...more
If you have been asked to serve as a trustee, you no doubt have questions about the duties and responsibilities of the role. You also should be clear on your trustee insurance coverage. Unfortunately, some confusion exists...more
Not many cases in Florida analyze Professional Services Exclusions in general liability policies. However, on September 16, 2022, the Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals released an order providing some clarification about the...more
Frequency of severity is back. Insurance buyers need to approach excess casualty renewals carefully to mitigate for loss trends and take advantage of a changing insurance market....more
In Utica Mutual Insurance Company v. Fireman’s Fund Insurance Company, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit, reversing a jury verdict in the District Court, held that the “follow-the-settlements” doctrine does not...more
In a sweeping decision, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit extended the absolute pollution exclusion to the unplanned discharge of “rock fines,” pellets produced during quarry operations, and denied coverage for...more
The plaintiffs, U.S. Fire Insurance Co. and North River Insurance Co., issued 12 umbrella and excess umbrella liability policies for a combined coverage of $244 million to a manufacturer of respiratory protection equipment...more
On remand from the Second Circuit, the Northern District of New York was asked to determine whether Utica Mutual Insurance Co. (the cedent) had a defense obligation under its umbrella policies. If it did, then Utica would be...more
Informed insureds know the importance of notifying their primary insurer of an occurrence or a claim. But notice to the primary layer often does not suffice. If the plaintiff’s demand exceeds the limits in the primary...more
In Melissa Komorsky v. Farmers Ins. Exchange, et al. (No. B286443, filed 3/1/19, ord. pub. 3/29/19), a California appeals court held that there is no public policy mandating the inclusion of Insurance Code section 11580.2’s...more
A federal judge recently relied on a pollution exclusion to find that Great American Insurance Company was not obligated to cover losses associated with the unintended distribution of rock fines into New Jersey’s Spruce Run...more
Defendant, Munich Re, moved for summary judgment relating to defense costs and allocation and Plaintiff, Utica, moved for summary judgment as to Munich Re’s claim for reimbursement. The Court denied the motions with the...more
On June 1, 2017, the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Georgia granted summary judgment in favor of AIG Specialty Insurance Co. in a case involving the application of the firearms exclusion in Powe v. Chartis...more
The U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Georgia granted summary judgment in favor of AIG Specialty Insurance Co. in a case involving the application of the firearms exclusion in Powe v. Chartis Specialty...more
In a lengthy February 24, 2017 opinion, a New York federal court denied cross motions for summary judgment on the Follow the Settlements Doctrine, filed by Utica Mutual Insurance Company and Utica’s reinsurer, Fireman’s Fund...more